Liverpool’s LEP finally up and running
THE Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been formally established at meetings over the past two days.
The formation of the LEP had been hampered by wranglings over its structure and the future role for The Merseyside Partnership, which has been subsumed by the new LEP.
This means that the organisation currently carries more than 50 staff, though, which is considerably higher than similar organisations in other areas.
Outgoing North West Development Agency chairman Robert Hough has also finally been confirmed as the LEP’s new chairman.
Its role will be to give strategic leadership and to allow existing organisations and bespoke teams to deliver acceleration of economic growth. The organisation has also said it is aware that the city region has far too few businesses, not enough business activity and not enough jobs.
Robert Hough said: “To deliver what is needed to meet these challenges, and the high expectations of our communities, businesses and Government, the LEP has taken over the resources of The Mersey Partnership (TMP), including its membership, income and staff; and the private sector-led teams that are already delivering rapid growth in the key sectors and are on the way to creating 100,000 new jobs within the decade.”
Retiring TMP chairman Rod Holmes advised a special general meeting of TMP’s members this morning on the incorporation into the LEP, which will see its board oversee the organisation.
It will now be responsible for developing the city region’s economic strategy, promoting business growth, supporting key growth sectors including the knowledge economy, the superport, low carbon businesses and tourism. It will also retain TMP’s prior brief for marketing the city-region.
Mr Hough added: “The LCRLEP will be the primary economic development body for the City Region and will work with partner organisations to stimulate the development of the economy. There are high expectations for the LEPs and in particular for the Liverpool City Region LEP.”
